First-ever West African Youth Day Ends With Call on Young People to Be “actors of hope and agents of peace”
The first West African Youth Day concluded in Accra, Ghana, with religious leaders urging young people to reject violence and become agents of peace. The event emphasized the responsibility of the region's youth in shaping the future of West Africa's growing population.
Why it matters
With a massive youth demographic, the social and political stability of West Africa is increasingly tied to the values and engagement of its younger generation.
Accra, 12 September, 2026 / 11:55 pm (ACI Africa).
The first-ever West African Youth Day (WAYD) has ended in Accra, Ghana, with a call on Catholic young people across the region to reject violence, hatred and manipulation and embrace their responsibility as builders of peace and agents of hope.
In his homily during the Closing Mass of the September 7-11 event, the Apostolic Nuncio in Ghana reflected on the theme of the gathering, “Take courage, Catholic youth in West Africa, actors and agents of peace and hope,” reminding the young people that Christ's call to “take courage” is addressed to them amid the fears, uncertainties and challenges confronting their generation.
“Take courage. Do not be afraid because Christ is with you,” Archbishop Julien Kaboré said during the Friday, September 11 Eucharistic celebration that was held at Holy Spirit Cathedral of Accra Archdiocese .
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in